Automatic lubrication



Jam H. L. HAMiLTON AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION Original Filed March 12, 1921 ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION Harold Louis Hamilton, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Auto Research Colporation, a corporation of Delaware Original application March '12, ,1921, Serial No.

451,910. Divided and this an 1934, Serial No. 729,973

29 Claims.

My invention relates to a means to automatically deliver a lubricant to various parts required to be lubricated in a machine and more particularly is designed for lubricating various elements 5 in the chassis of a motor driven vehicle and to be driven from any convenient movable part appurtenant to the chassis, or which may be actuated by hand or foot operation.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby a lubricant will be discharged in measured quantities through the medium of graduating feed means, and directed to the several parts to be lubricated in quantities and at intervals suiting the requirements of particular parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a source of lubricant pressure and supply, coacting with the graduating means. to' supply .the same, said source and graduating means functioning by coordinated operations to intermittently deliver the oil in predetermined quantities to the parts to be lubricated.

The invention furthermore has for an object to provide an intermittently acting graduating feed valve. actuated by the oil supplied thereto under pressure and arranged to automatically restore its parts after an operation by the re-- ceived oil.

More specifically the invention has-for an object to provide lubricatingmeans of the type referred to reflecting practical considerations with respect to convenience ofinstallation, adjustment and control and making for the maximum efficiency in effecting the lubrication of the parts without discharging to the parts a surplus of lubricant.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, it being understood that the drawing is merely illustrative of one example of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a chassis equipped with my improved lubricating means;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the graduating valve for passing the lubricant in predetermined quantities to the parts to be lubricated.

In carrying out my invention in practice in the illustrated form'a reservoir designated generally by the numeral is provided and suitably mounted on the chassis to be driven by a rotary element thereon, there being shown in Fig. 1 a supporting bracket 11 secured to the case of the transmission designated generally by the numeral 12.

The oil from the reservoir is caused to pass through an outlet valve and into the system of distributing pipes 15 with their necessary plication June 11,

branches 15a leading to graduating, valves 16 associated with the various parts to be lubricated and functioning to pass measured quantities of the lubricant to said parts. The respective meas-,- uring valves 16 have each an inlet here shown as in the form of a threaded nipple 17 to which the pipes 1501 branches 15a thereof lead.

The drive means for the pressure pump in the reservoir 10 may include a shaft 33 having driving connectiomfor example, with an element of the transmission mechanism.

The graduating valve 16, as shown in Fig. 2,, includes a body or casing 42 into which the inlet 17 leads. In said casing "at the top is a cylinder 43 spaced from the wall ofthecasing 42 to form an oil chamber 44 above and at the sides of said cylinder. The cylinder is shownas screwed into the body of the valveas at 430, A port 43a leads from the chamber 44 through the top of the cylinder to the interiorthereof above or in front of a piston 45 operating in said cylinder and'a port or, ports.43bleadylaterally from-the chamber 44 into-the interior of the cylinder and have in practice a capacity greater than the port 43a. -The oil from the inlet 1'7, in addition to flowing into the chamber 44 to-thefront of the piston passes also in the opposite direction through an L-shaped port-46 controlled by a regulating valve 4'7 and leading to a cavity 48 below or at the back of the piston 45. From cavity 48 leadsa lateral port 49 to a longitudinal bore 50 leading tothe outlet. to thus discharge to the point'orelement to be lubricated. In the cavity 48 operates a plug 52 on the back .or underside of the piston 45 while a similar plug 53 on the piston at the underside and parallel with the first plug operates in the bore 50.

A spring 56 coiled about the plugs 52, 53 normally tends'to raisethepiston 45 to a position at the-top of the cylinder and closing the lateral ports 43b. The plug 53 has an L-shaped oil passage 54 adapted to come-intoregister temporarily with the port 49 in the downward movement of the piston 45. Said passage 54 in the uppermost position of the piston is in communication with a counterbore 55 at the top of the bore 50 to constitute adrain and suction passage as hereinafter referred to. I

In operation, it being understoodthat the nip-' ple 1'7, Fig. 2, is connected by a pipe 15 and branch 15a. from the distributing valve, oil will enter the chamber 44 and pass through the port 43a to the interior of the cylinder 43 above the piston 45 and since the oil is under pressure, the piston 45 will be slowly moved downwardly charge outlet 51, so that the small quantity of Oi remaining in the cavity 48 will be forced through The continued the port 49 through said outlet. downward movement of the p i ston 45,.will cause, the plug 53 to cut off the passage 49 fr'om'said outlet.

The graduating valve 16,.it will be observed, is

optionally variable through the'i'nedium of the regulating screw 47 to pass-predeterminedquan tities of oil to the cavity 49 and thence to the outlet 51 to suit the lubricating requirements oigiven parts. The screw 69 of valve 16 is removable for draining and aifording a clean-out I opening at The screw I L Fi'g. 2, is provided for making possiblefithe thorough cleaning of the graduating valve 16- by removingsaid screw and the screws 4'7'ai'id'69L Said screw 'il'serves'also to close the hole drilled through the valve body in forming -th'e passage 49. i v Theportion of the bore 48 above the inlet port 46" might be made of such close fit as'to' decrease the tendency to anyleakageinto the lower portion of thechamber 43- below the piston' 45 '1? would state "in conclusion that while'the illustrated"example constitutes a practical embodiment' of the --'invention, I'do -not lirnit mysel'l strictly to the mechanical details herein illustratedjsince manifestly the same can be considerably varied without-departure from the spirit of the invention as definedin the appendedelaims.

The present application is a division of application'lSerial No."451;9 10, filed March 12th, 19-21, which isbroadly directed to a lubricating system and 'is alsospecifically directed to a lubricating system having a ret 'rn'frjom the piping to the reservoir. 3 I The present application is particularly directed to the' measuring valve or flow controlling units positioned at'the outlets-of said system and proportioning the how of lubricant to the various bearings.

"Fig-'2 of the present application'isidentical with Fig. 9 of the prior application and Fig. 1 of the present applic'ation is substantially identical with Fig. ,1. of said'pr-ior application.

The. measuring valves of the present application and the lubricating system including the .Sameqnay oficourse beutilized for other purposes than for lubricating {automotive bearings and may,,, desired, she, utilized for lubricating machinery. i g

Having thus described. my invention, I claim:

Ina lubricating means of the class described, a feed vialvehavings'anoil chamber, means to supply oil-t'toisaidrchaniberunder pressure, a. cylinder in said valve, a piston in'said cylindenfs'aid cylin- .derzbeing in communication with said chamber at the front of the pistonwforfcausing a stroke of the pistonr'by the ioihpressure; and there being an'oil cavityirr the valve at theirear'of the piston in communication with saidpiston and an element bfsmaller? diameter on the-piston to force oil from saidrcavityto thevalveoutlet;

.'. 2.;A-lubricatorioffithe class; described having an inlet.,-an outlet andaichamber adapted to cone against the tension of the spring 56 and the retain oil under pressure, a piston subject to oil pressure for an operative stroke, there being an oil cavity in said lubricator and a passage leading thereto to direct oil to the cavity with the entrance of oil to said chamber, means to regulate the ,flow of oil to said cavity, and means movable with an operative stroke oil-the piston. to eject oil from said cavity tothe outlet.

. 3. The method of lubricant distribution which consists in feeding from the source or" supply to thjepointjof application under relatively low pressure, and utilizing a flow of lubricant under low pressure toward the point of application to apply lubricant'under relatively high pressure.

4'; An oil discharge unit for association with a lubricating installation and for delivering measured: charges-of lubricant to a bearing, said unit including'a measuring chamber, a member havinga portion subjected to pressure for displacement thereby and including plugging means of reduced diameter unitary therewith, urged thereby to-seal afiow passage in said unit, in order to prevent emission to the :bearing of .more'than the measured charge, a return stop for the end of said member opposed to the plugging means, a I

spring coiled about a part of said member and urging 'it -agai'nst said stop, said unit also including a cavity charged with oil during theapplication of pressure and delivering substantially the measured quantity therefrom into said chamber through aport entirely between the ends of the sidewall of the chamber.

. "5. In acentral lubricating system, a lubricant measuring deviceincluding a body having an in letport, a cylindrical pressure chamber, a cylindrical measuring chamber, an'outlet port and passageways establishing communication among said fportsaandzchambers, reciprocatory pistons in said pressures-and measuring. chambers adapted to take: fdrwardsarid return strokes, lubricant pressure being suppliedto sa-id chambers: from said-inlet port simultaneously at the beginning oithc: forward "stroke and communication between saidf measuring chamber. and said inlet port being; alternately established and cut oil inciden- 'of'lubricant pressure and .an outlet at an end thereof for: communication with a bearing, a plug member threaded into said casting and axially aligned with said outlet, said casting having a stop shoulder axially aligned with said, plug, a plunger enclosed between saidplug and said stop shoulder, said plunger having an enlarged head determining a shoulder, a spring coiled about a part of said plun'ger and reacting against said plunger shoulder to urge said plunger away from said out-let, 'the head of said plunger subjected' to pressure appliedthrough the inlet to urge the same against the resistance of its spring to the opposite end of its stroke, the spring subsequently returning said plunger to its initial position, saidunit including. a measuring'chamber, a portion of s-aid'plunger closingcommunication from said chamber to the outlet during-the chargin'g..:of said chamber under pressure -from the fsource, the; plungerat one part of its move- -ment closing communication from the inlet to w the chamber and opening communication from the chamber to the outlet.

:of for'cornmunication with a bearing, a, plug member threaded into said casting and axially aligned with said outlet, said casting havinga stop shoulder axially aligned with said plug, .a plunger enclosedbetween saidplug and said stop shouldensaid plunger having an enlarged head determining a shoulder, a spring coiled about .a part of .said plunger beyond said head and reacting against said head, and urging said plunger'awayfrom said outlet, the head of said plungcr subjected to lubricant pressure applied through the inlet to urge the same against the resistance of said springzto the opposite end of its stroke, the spring, subsequently returning said plunger to its initial position, said unit including a measuring chamber, a portion of said plunger closing communication from said chamber to the outlet'during the charging of said chamber from said inlet,'the plunger at one part of its movement closing communication from the inlet to the chamber and opening communication from the chamber to the outlet, and means to-provide an increase of effective pressure on said plunger head from the source, after the plunger has, commenced its stroke away from its stop. I

8. In a lubricating installation, a measuring unit comprising, a lubricantetightv casing having 'a lubricant inlet-between the ends. thereof and an outlet at one end thereof, a flow controlling spring pressed plunger in said unit propelled against the resistance. of said spring by pressure derived through said lateral inlet-and moving in a path aligned with said outlet.

9. In a lubricating installation, a measurng unit comprising alubricant-tight casing having a lubricant inlet between the ends thereof and an outletat one end thereof,,,a flow controlling spring pressed plunger in said unit propelled against the resistance of said spring by pressure derived through said lateral inlet and moving in a. course aligned wth said outlet, .said plunger having a relatively large area subjected to the pressure from'the inlet, and a relatively smaller portion toplug the outlet from the measuring cavity to the'bearing.

10. A flow controlling unit for alubricating installation, said unit including a casting having a lateral inlet for. connection to a source-of pressure and having an outlet at one end thereof substantially at right angles to said inlet, a plug member threaded into an end of said casting, a flow controlling plunger in the casting lodged in a chamber therefor, between the end of said plug and a part of said casting, a spring coiled about a part of said plunger and normally urging the same away from said outlet, said plunger subjected' to pressure from the source to shift the same against the resistance of said spring, and a measuring chamber in said unit, said plunger in the course of its travel controlling] the communication of said chamber with respect to the inlet thereto and the outlet therefrom in order to permit successively charging of said chamber ing, thesame toward the bearing 11. A flow controlling unit for apressure lubri- V-cating system, said unit including a metallic casing having an inlet betweenthe ends thereof, an outlet at one end thereof, ,a controlling plunger axially aligned with said outlet, and coacting with the inlet and the outlet to control the flow therethrough, a screw plug threaded into said casing andserving as a limiting stop for one end of said plunger, said casing having an annular stop shoul- ;der aligned with said stop and serving to limit the movement of said plunger away from said stop, said plunger having an enlarged head determininga shoulder, a spring coiled about said plunger and between the ends thereof, and urging the same toward the stop therefor, more remote shutting thesame oif-from'thje inlet and dischargfrom said outlet, and a cap effecting a pressuretight closure for the casing.

12. A lubricator of the class described having an inlet and a chamber adapted to contain oil under pressuraapiston subject tooil pressure for an operative stroke, there being anoil cavity in said valve and a passage leading thereto to direct oil to the cavity with the entrance of oil to said chamber, means to; regulate theflow of oil to said cavity and means movable with an operative stroke of the piston to eject oil from said cavity to the valve outlet.

13. A lubricant dispensing unit for a bearing to be; incorporated in a central lubricatinginstallation coinprising a plurality of cylindrical piston chambers of diverse diameters, one of which serves to measure the lubricant chargedispensed to the bearing, cylindrical piston means in said phambers,-.one of which is positioned in said dispens'i'ngchamber to discharge a, measur d quan- 'ty of lubricant to the bearing, inlet and outlet ports associated with said chambers, passages within thefunit connecting said chambers and said'ports, threaded connectionsifor a passage to a bearing and ,for conduit means communicating with said ports and passages, said ports, passages and connections being, "so arranged and con structed tliat said piston means will be actuated.

bylubricant pressure applied through said con.-

duitmean's, that lubricantflow will take, place in respect to at least one of .saidpiston chambers 14. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to beconnected to the conduit system of a central lubricating installation and to be applied at a bearing,said unit comprising a multiple valve body with inlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiplefipistons therein of diverse diameters, chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons, fromone of which chambers the corresponding piston serves to eject to a bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received fromsaidc'onduit system, a smallerof saidpistons serving to control the flow of lubricant from said inlet means to said measuring chamber.

' 15. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to be connected to the conduit system of a central lubricating installation and to be applied at a bearing, said unit comprising amultiple valve body withinlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiple pistons thereinof diverse diameters,

chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons from one of which'chambers the corresponding piston serves to eject to a bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received from said conduit system, a smaller of said pistons serving to control the flow of lubricant from said inlet means to said measuring chamber, said pistons consisting of cylindrical plunger's and said smaller plunger opening" and closing port means in the'side of the corresponding plungerchambe'r, which port means is between the ends of said plunger diameter.

16. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to be connected to the conduit system of a central lubr'icating installation and to be applied ata bearing, said unit comprising a multiple valve body with inlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiple pistons therein of diverse diameters, chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons from one of which chainbers the corresponding piston serves to eject to a bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received from said conduit system, a smaller of said pistons serving to control the flow of lubricant from said inlet means to said measuring chamber, said larger piston chamber being provided with port means and a passage being providedbetween said port means and said conduit system, said port means serving as both an inlet and an outlet to per'mit flow of lubricant in either direction between said system and said chamber.

' 17. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to be connected to the conduit systemof acentral lubricating installation and to be applied at a bearing, said unit comprising a multiple valve body with inlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiple pistons therein of diverse diameters, chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons from one of which chambers the corresponding piston serves to eject to a bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received from said conduit system, a smaller of said pistons serving to control the flow of lubricant from said inlet means to said measuring chamber, said smaller piston being moved to one position by lubricant pressure and being spring-returned after cessation of said pressure.

18. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to be connected to the conduit system of a central lubricating installation and to be applied at a bearing, said unit comprising a multiple valve body with inlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiple pistons therein of diverse diameters, chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons from one of which chambers the corresponding piston serves to eject to a bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received from said conduit system, a smaller of said pistons serving to control the flow of lubricant from said inlet means to said measuring chamber, said unit being provided with inlet and outlet passageways parallel to and communicating with said measuring chamber ofiset from each other, the flow through said passageways being controlled by said smaller piston.

19. A lubricant dispensing measuring valve unit to be connected to the conduit system of a central lubricating installation and to be applied to a bearing, said unit comprising a multiple valve body with inlet and outlet means, reciprocating multiple pistons therein of diverse diameters, chambers of similar diverse diameters to receive said pistons from one of which chambers the corres onding piston: serves to eject to at bearing a metered lubricant charge previously received from-said conduit system, a: smaller or saidpistons serving to'c'on'trol the floworlubricant-irom said inlet means to said measuring chamber; said piston: and piston chambers having arallelaxes, and said: multiple pistons including two smaller pistons and one larger piston all moved in: the

same direction upon application of lubricant pressure;

.20. In an automatic lubricating device, the combinationor a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, a cylinder of relatively large bore,- a reciprocatory' piston therein, another cylinder of relatively small bore, a plunger'therein and: Sec'u're'd to said piston,- resilient means within said large cylinder holding said piston against the upper end of said cylinder, a valve controlled passage leading from the lower end of said small cylinder toward saidoutlet, said valve being operated by said pistom and a port-passing through the body of said valve establishing communication between said inlet and outlet.

21. A device" for injecting: lubricant under pressure comprising a body member having two chambers of different diameters; the larger of saidchambers being a cylinder, a piston mounted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a plunger connected with said' piston and adapted to reciprocats in the smaller or said chambers, a Spring to alternately resist and assist reciprocating movements of said plunger; saidbody member having an opening to admit fluid pressure into said body beneath said: plungerand another opening communicating with said larger chamber near the top thereof and above said piston, the corinection of said opening with said smaller chamber being closed by said plunger immediately upon filling of said chamberu'nder lubricant pressure. V

' 22. A valve for connection in a pressure lu= bricatin'g' system including a body formed with a measuring chamber having an inlet at one side and a wall at another side formed with an outlet passage, said inlet and outlet in communication through said chamber, a piston valve in said chamber to cut off the inletfrom the outlet passage and arranged to permit the passage of lubricant thereby during a portion only of the forward movement of said piston, means actu ated upon movement of said piston to closesaid outlet toward the" end of the forward stroke of the piston, a spring to impart a return movement to the piston, means including a valvular mem ber normally closing said outlet and moved by lubricant pressure to open said outlet, said spring normal'y holding said member closing said outlet, said valvular member and piston valve being simultaneously movable by direct line pres sure, said valvular member being provided with a cylindrical port-ion to enter and fill said outlet passage and of extended length to provide for extended movement of said member in opening said outlet.

23. A lubricant flow control fitting adapted to be associated with a bearing and connected to a conduit system,- said fitting comprising a cylindrical bore, a plug of slightly smaller diameter than said bore and longitudinally movable thereinin one direction upon application of lubricant pressure, resilient means for moving said plug in the opposite direction, and anadjustable restriction to control the flow through said fitting.

24. In a lubricator of the class described, a feed valve adapted to receive oil under pressure,

a restricted inlet to said valve to control the oil reception, a piston in said valve subject for an operative stroke to the oil pressure, and means subject to an operation of the piston to eject a predetermined quantity of oil from the valve.

A valve for connection in a pressure lubricating system including a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a piston structure in said casing including a part of larger diameter at which piston-propulsive pressure is applied and a part of smaller diameter connected for expulsion of lubricant from the casing, means positioning said piston structure at one extreme of its stroke, said valve being provided {with inlet flow passage means through which lubricant pressure is applied to said part of larger diameter, and means to render said inlet flow passage means of increased effectiveness in flow area toward the part of larger diameter for increased effectiveness of pressure communication to the piston after slight movement of the piston away from said extreme of its stroke.

26. A measuring valve for use in a central system of lubrication having a body including an inlet port and an outlet port, a resistance unit to regulate flow of lubricant through the valve positioned between said ports, a receiving and discharging measuring chamber also located be tween said ports, a plurality of valves in said body regulating the flow through said ports, one valve being inside of said chamber and the other valve being located outside of said chamber, and

lubricant pressure actuated means operatively' connected to said valves.

27. In a measuring valve for lubricating 'apparatus of the class described, the combination of a measuring chamber, a chamber of larger crosssection at one end thereof, an inlet for said larger chamber, a valve for cutting off inflow of lubricant to said measuring chamber, a piston in said larger chamber, said piston connected to said valve, spring means in said larger chamber normally holding said valve to open said inlet, an outlet for said measuring chamber, and a discharge valve connected to said piston opening and closing said outlet, said outlet being opened only upon a predeterminedv movement of said first-named valve at the same time as said firstnamed valve is moved into said measuring chamber to out off further flow of lubricant thereinto.

28. In a lubricating means of the class described, a feed valve having an oil chamber, means to supply oil to said chamber under pressure, a cylinder in said valve, a piston in said cylinder, said cylinder being in communication with said chamber at the front of the piston for causing a stroke of the piston by the oil pressure and there being an oil cavity in the valve at the rear of the piston in communication with said piston and an element of smaller diameter on the piston to force oil from said cavity to the valve outlet.

29. A lubricator of the class described having an inlet and a chamber adapted to contain oil under pressure, a piston subject to oil pressure for an operative stroke, there being an oil cavity in said valve and a passage leading thereto to direct oil to the cavity with the entrance of oil to said chamber, means to regulate the flow of oil to said cavity, and means movable with an operative stroke of the piston to eject oil from said cavity to the valve outlet.

HAROLD LOUIS HAMILTON. 

